Treating agent dispenser system for washing machines



y 1963 J. BOCHAN 3,091,110

TREATING AGENT DISPENSER SYSTEM FOR WASHING MACHINES Filed April 6, 1962 78 3/4 F'IG.I [8 L a I: 38 lo A L 41 45 I 35 Mm I3 58 3 I 37 3e, 4 s 7 43 7 44 o o (y o o o 0 $6 I 33 o 3 o o u O 20 O 0 o o o o 65' 53 o 0 60 4| 0 O O 50 f 0 l7 0 o o o l O o --4 ,-a 4

l 42 L Q H I i I I 2o INVENTOR.

J'OHN BOCHAN BY M P M HIS ATTORNEY rat '1 This invention relates to automatic fabric washing machines, and more particularly to such machines where it is intended that a treating agent be automatically introduced into the washing liquid at the proper time in the washing cycle.

Automatic fabric washing machines customarily proceed through a sequence of operations in order to wash, rinse and dry clothes and other fabrics. The sequence ordinarily includes a washing operation, a rinsing operation in which the clothes are rinsed in clean water, and a final extraction operation in which the rinse water is removed from the clothes. Depending on the type of machine, the action within any given operation may be slightly different. For example, many machines include an initial extraction operation right after the washing operation in order to eifect more complete removal of the washing liquid, and other machines include a spray rinse during the extraction operation in addition to the customary submersion rinse. But the general sequence of washing and rinsing, with appropriate liquid extracting steps, is used in almost all automatic Washing machines.

As automatic washing machines have become more perfected, they have automatically performed an increasing number of functions which previously had to be performed manually. For instance, one feature which may be provided is a suitable dispenser so that the operator may introduce a measured amount of detergent or soap prior to the start of the operation. In the same manner, appropriate water softeners and fabric softeners may automatically be added to the rinse water in some machines even though put in the machine prior to the start of the cycle.

In addition to detergents, soaps and softening agents, it will readily occur that a suitable bleach or bleaching agent is among the more important additives required by many operators for a large part of their washing operations. In connection with liquid chlorine-type bleaches, an important point to bear in mind is that, when introduced into the washing liquid at the beginning of a cycle (that is, at about the same time as the detergent), the bleach has a tendency to counteract the beneficial whitening effect which is embodied in many modern detergents in the form of a fluorescent dye; when this occurs, the full whitening effect of the detergent is not achieved. It has been determined that if the bleach is introduced toward the end of the washing operation rather than at the beginning thereof, the detergent by then has completed its whitening action on the clothes and the bleach is then free to treat the clothes without interfering with the brightening action of the detergent. The result of this approach has been shown in the laboratory to be visibly better than where bleach and detergent are both introduced at the beginning of a cycle. 1

Because of this feature of the commonly used chlorinetype bleach, the most desirable structure is one wherein the bleach, although introduced into the machine prior to the start of the start of a washing cycle, is held in readiness throughout a substantial part of a washing step in some container external to the basket in which the fabrics are being washed.

Accordingly, it is an object of my invention to provide a new and improved-dispenser for fabric treating agents, primarily liquid bleach, which may be filled before the machine is set in operation and which will then introduce the bleach automatically into the clothes basket at the appropriate time during the washing operation.

A further more specific object of my invention is to effect the above stated goal by use of a pump structure which pumps toward the clothes container and which provides an insuflicient negative head to draw the treating agent into the clothes container until the pump inlet is constricted, at which time the negative head increases, and causes the liquid treating agent to be pumped into the clothes container.

In one aspect of my invention, I provide a washing machine in which, in the usual way, suitable container means are provided for containing liquids and fabrics, together with means for effecting washing of the fabrics in the container means. A recirculation pump is provided with two openings, the first being an outlet connected to discharge into the container means, and the second being an inlet connected to withdraw liquid from the container means through a first conduit which, preferably is relatively large in internal cross section. In other words, when the pump is operated, it provides a negative head at the second opening and a positive head at the first opening; this enables the pump to discharge liquid into the container means. The extent of the negative head is responsive to blockage of the second opening, that is, the smaller the second opening the greater the negative head provided there.

A desired liquid treating agent, such as bleach, is provided within a receptacle which is connected by a second conduit to the second opening. Between its two ends, this second conduit has a section which extends up above the maximum liquid level which may be reached in the container means. Normally, the negative head which is provided when the first conduit is open is insuflicient to draw the treating agent from the receptacle up through the second conduit. However, when the first conduit is blocked off, even partially, by any suitable means, the negative head increases sufiiciently to draw the treating agent from the receptacle through the second conduit and then discharge it into the container means. Thus, an effective means of causing the flow of liquid treating agent into the clothes container is provided. If the second conduit is formed as a siphon, the partial blocking of the first conduit need be a matter of only a part of a second, sufficient to prime the siphon which then continues to introduce the liquid treating agent to the fabric container without further need for blocking any flow through the first conduit.

The subject matter which I regard as my invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the acompanying drawing.

In the drawing,

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a clothes Washing machine which includes my improved dispensing structure, the view being partially broken away and partially in section to illustrate details; and

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view, partly in section, showing a second embodiment of my invention.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, I have shown therein an agitator type clothes washing machine 1 having a conventional basket or clothes receiving receptacle 2 provided over its side and bottom walls with perforations 3 and disposed within an outer imperforate tub or casing 4 which serves as a liquid receptacle. With this combination, the basket 2 and tub '4 thus form together container means for containing liquid and the fabrics or clothes to be immersed in the liquid. The basket 2 may be provided with a suitable clothes retaining member 5 for preventing clothes from being floated over the top of the basket,

and with a balance ring 6 to help steady the basket when (as will be explained) it is rotated at high speed.

Tub 4 is rigidly mounted within an appearance cabinet 7 which includes a cover 8 hingedly mounted in the top portion 9 of the cabinet for providing access to an opening 16 to the basket. 2. As shown, a gasket 11 may be provided so as to form a seal between the top of tub 4 and portion 9 of the cabinet thereby to prevent escape of moisture and moist air into the cabinet around the tub. The rigid mounting of tub 4 within the cabinet 7 may be efliected by any suitable means. As a typical example of one such means I have provided strap members 12, each of which is secured at one end to an inturned flange 13 of the cabinet and at its other end to the outside of tub 4. At the center of basket 2 there is positioned suitable means for washing, by flexing, clothes and other fabrics which are placed into the basket 2. In the present case, this takes the form of a vertical axis agitator 14 which includes a center post 15 and a plurality of curved water circulating vanes 16 joined at their lower ends by an outwardly flared skirt 17.

The clothes basket 2 and the agitator 14 are rotatably mounted. The basket is mounted on a flange 13 of a rotatable hub 19, and the agitator 14 is mounted on a shaft '(not shown) wh ch extends upwardly through the hub 19 and through the center post 15 and is secured to the agitator so as to drive it. During the cycle of opera tion of the machine 1, water is introduced into the tub 4 and basket 2, and the agitator is then oscillated back and forth on its axis, that is, in a horizontal plane within the basket; this initial step is usually a washing operation which may be provided with a suitable amount of detergent which, together with the flexing of the clothes by agitator 14, effects the washing action. After a predetermined period of this action, basket 2 is rotated at high speed to extract centrifugally the liquid from the clothes and discharge it to drain. Following this extraction operation, a supply of clean liquid is introduced into the basket for rinsing the clothes and the agitator is again oscillated to effect rinsing of the clothes by dilution of the detergent in them. Finally, the basket is once more rotated at high speed to extract the rinse water. Of course, while it is often not done, more than one rinsing operation may be provided if so desired, and other minor modifications such as, for instance, spray rinses during the spinning operation, may also be provided.

Basket 2 and agitator 14 may be driven through any suitable means. By way of example I have shown them as driven from a reversing motor 2% through a system including an automatic load limiting clutch 21 mounted on the motor shaft. A suitable belt 22 transmits power from clutch 21 to a transmission assembly 23 through a pulley 24. Thus, depending upon the direction of motor rotation, pulley 24 of transmission 23 is driven in opposite directions. The transmission 23 is so arranged that it supports and drives both the agitator drive shaft and basket mounting hub 19. When motor 20 is rotated in one direction the transmission causes agitator 14 to oscillate in a substantially horizontal plane within the basket-2.

Conversely, when motor 21 is driven in the opposite direction, the transmission rotates the wash basket 2 and agitator 14 together at high speed for centrifugal liquid extraction. While the specific type of transmission mechanism used does not form part of the invention, reference is made to Patent 2,844,225, issued to James R. Hubbard et al. on July 22, '195 8, and owned by the General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention. That patent discloses in detail the structural characteristics of a transmission suitable for use in the illustrated machine.

In addition to operating the transmission 23 as described, motor 20 also provides a direct drive through a flexible coupling 25 to a pump structure general y indicated at 26 which may include two separate pumping units 27 and 28 both operated in the same direction simultaneously by motor 29. Pump 27 has an inlet which is connected by a conduit 29 to an opening 31? formed at the l werm t point of tub 4. Pump 27 also has an outlet which is connected by a conduit 31 to a suitable drain (not shown). Pump 28 has an inlet connected by a conduit 32 to the interior of tub 4 and an outlet connected by a conduit 33 to a nozzle 34. The pumps are formed so that in the spin direction of motor rotation pump 27 will provide a negative head at its opening connected to conduit 29 and a positive head at its opening connected to conduit 31. This results in the pump drawing in liquid from openings 39 through conduit 29 and then discharging it through conduit 31 to drain. In the other direction of rotation, pump 28 has a negative head at its opening connected to conduit 32 and a positive head at its opening connected to conduit 33, causing it to withdraw liquid from tub 4 through conduit 32 and then pass it up through conduit 33 and out through nozzle 34. Each of the pumps is substantially inoperative in the direction of rotation in which it is not used. This is achieved by causing the pump to be of the turbine or regenartive type; as is well known in this type of pump, the negative head at the inlet is increased substantially when the inlet becomes increasingly blocked oil and this particular aspect of such pumps forms an important part of my invention as will appear more clearly herebelow. This effect may be enhanced by making conduit 32 of relatively large cross section.

Nozzle 34 is positioned to discharge into a filter pan 35 secured on the top portion 36 of agitator 14 so as to be movable therewith. With this structure then, when the motor is rotating so as to provide agitation, pump 28 draws liquid through conduit 32 from tub 4 and discharges it through conduit 33 so that the liquid passes from nozzle 34 through an air gap into filter pan 35, then down through a number of small openings 37 provided in the bottom of the filter pan, and back into basket 2. In this manner, the filter pan 35 with its small openings 37 and its upstanding side wall 38 causes lint which is separated from the clothes during the washing operation to be filtered out of the water, and thus prevents it from being re-deposited on the clothes. This type of structure is more fully described and claimed in Patent 2,481,979, issued to Russell H. Colley, and assigned to the General Electric Company, owner of the present invention. It will further be observed that the conduits 32 and 33, together with the nozzle 34 and the filter pan 35, constitute a reirculation conduit means for the liquid being circulated by pump 28 to be withdrawn from tub 4 and then returned thereto.

The motor 20, clutch 21, transmission 23, basket 2 and agitator 14 form a suspended washing and centrifuging system which is supported by the stationary structure of the machine so as to permit isolation of vibrations from the stationary structure. It will be understood that such vibrations occur primarily as a result of high speed spinning of basket 2 with a load of clothes therein as mentioned above. While any suitable suspension structure may be used, one such structure includes a bracket member 39 with transmission 23 mounted on top thereof and motor 20 mounted to the underside thereof. The bracket member in turn is secured to upwardly extending rigid members 40 and each of the two upwardly extending members 40 is connected to a cable 41 supported from the top of the machine. While only a portion of the suspension system is shown in FIGURE 1, such a vibration isolating system is fully described and claimed in Patent 2,987,190, issued to me on June 6, 1961, and assigned to the General Electric Company, assignee of the present invention.

In order to accommodate the movement which occurs between basket 2 and tub 4 without any danger of leakage between them, the stationary tub 4 is joined to the upper part of transmission 23 by a flexible boot member 42. Boot member 42 may be of any suitable configuration, many of which are known in the art, to permit relative motion of the parts to which it is joined without leakage therebetween.

Hot and cold water may be supplied to machine 1 through a pair of conduits 43 and 44 which are adapted to be connected respectively to sources of hot and cold water (not shown). Conduits 43 and 44 extend into a conventional mixing valve structure 45 having solenoids 46 and 47. Energization of solenoid 46 permits passage of hot water through the valve to a hose 48, energization of solenoid 47 permits passage of cold water through the valve, and energization of both solenoids permits mixing of hot and cold water in the valve and passage of warm water into hose 48. Hose 48 has an outlet 49 positioned to discharge into basket 2 so that when one or both of the solenoids 46 and 47 are energized water passes into the basket 2 and tub 4.

The level to which water rises in the basket and tub may be controlled by any suitable sensing means. One typical arrangement for doing this is to provide an opening 50 in the side of the tub adjacent the bottom thereof, the opening 50 being connected through a conduit 51 and hose 52 to a conventional pressure sensitive switch device (not shown) which may be positioned within the backsplasher 53 of machine -1. In the conventional manner, as the water rises in basket 2 and tub 4 it exerts increasing pressure on a column of air trapped in conduit 51, and at a predetermined pressure level the column of air then trips the switch to shut oif whichever of the solenoids 46 and 47 may be energized and to start operation of the motor 26. The backsplasher 53 may have suitable manual controls, such as that shown at 54, ex tending therefrom so that the particular fabric cycle including, for instance, water temperatures, water level within the tub '4 and basket 2, etc., may be controlled to etfect the washing of different types of fabrics.

As an important part of my invention, 1 provide a receptacle 55 having an open top 56. Receptacle 55 is pivotally mounted on a pin 57, so that when a handle 58 is grasped the receptacle may be manually pivoted clockwise about pin 57 to a position where it may be filled from outside the washer. At the bottom of receptacle '55 there is formed an opening 59 which connects with one end 69 of a conduit 61 whose other end 62 is connected to conduit 32 as close as possible to the inlet opening to pump 28. Intermediate its ends the conduit 61 is formed in the shape of a siphon having a short leg 63, a longer leg 64 and a top portion 64a which extends up above the highest level which can be reached by liquid within tube 4.

In the preferred structure which I contemplate, the opening '59 is normally closed by a ball-type valve member 65 which is substantially lighter than the liquid treating agent, such as bleach, which is to be provided within the container 55. This causes the ball 65 to float up against perforated guard 66 when there is liquid within container 55, and to close off opening 59 only when all liquid within the container 55 has been emptied out of it.

Upstream of the junction of conduit end 62 and conduit 32, there is provided a structure, generally indicated by the numeral 67, for squeezing conduit 32 at least partially shut. A shown, this may be provided in the form of a rigid bracket member 68 having a leg 69 which rests against one side of conduit 32 and which supports the pivotal movement of a member 70 biased by a spring 70a to the position shown in solid outline. Member 70 has a free end 71 which is connected to the armature 72 of a solenoid 73 supported by the bracket 69. Upon energization of the solenoid, the armature 72 is drawn down into the core of the solenoid so as to pivot the member 70 to the position shown in dotted outline and thereby effect a partial blockage of the conduit 32. Conduct 32 is formed of material which is flexible and resilient enough 5 to return to its normal position upon de-energization of solenoid 73.

It has been determined that the increase in the negative head exerted by pump 28 at end 62 of conduit 61 when conduit 32 is thus blocked is such as to draw the liquid in receptacle 55 up over the top 64a of conduit 61, and then through the pump into the tub 4. This is in opposition to the normal condition which exists when conduit 32 is unobstructed; the negative head exerted by pump 28 through the conduit 61 is not sufiicient, under such normal circumstances, to draw the liquid from container 55 up over the top 64a of conduit 61. It can thus be seen that a highly effective means for drawing the bleach or other liquid treating agent into the tub 4 is provided wherein the bleach is prevented from entering the container until the desired instant and then, by energization of solenoid 73, may be caused to enter. A simple momentary energization is sufficient, because the conduit 61 is in the form of a siphon, and once the siphon (which exists because of the low pressure created by pump 28) is primed by having the liquid drawn over the top 64a thereof it will continue to flow down and into the pump until the container 55 has been emptied. At that time, further suction of air through the conduit 61 will be prevented by the ball valve 65.

Referring now briefly to FIGURE 2, there is shown a fragmentary side elevational view of a second embodiment of the conduit 32. It will be seen in that view that, rather than squeezing shut a flexible tube, a member 74 may be mounted on a pivot 75 formed in a recess 76 in the conduit. Member 74 acts as a block or a gate when it is swung counterclockwise down into the path of flow through the conduit 32' as shown by the arrow. As before, this may be effected by use of the solenoid 73 which acts through its armature 72 on the outer end 77 of member 74. It will be understood that the portion of conduit 32 which includes recess 76 may be made of a rigid plastic material which acts as a positive support for the pin 75 on which member 74 is pivoted.

Thus, it will be seen that the blocking of the conduit may be effected by any suitable means, either by squeezing the conduit shut or else by having a member which either completely or partially blocks the flow therethrough. The essential point is to effect a partial blockage of the inlet to pump 28 so that the negative head at that opening is increased and is transmitted through the conduit 61 to the receptacle 55 so as to draw the treating agent into the tub 4.

It will, of course, be understood that the energization of the solenoid 73 may be elfected at any desired instant by an appropriate and conventional control means such as is normally provided in connection with such machines. Such control means is not illustrated or described in connection with the present invention since it forms no part thereof. Preferably, this energization of the solenoid is effected on the order of three or four minutes before the end of a washing cycle so as to cause introduction of the treating agent at that time. This is normally long enough subsequent to the start of the washing operation to have permitted the whitening agent often provided in detergents to have effected its purpose.

While in accordance with the patent statutes, I have described what at present are considered to be the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from my invention. It is therefore aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A washing machine comprising:

(a) container means for containing liquid and fabrics to be washed in the liquid;

(b) means for effecting washing of fabrics in said container means;

(c) recirculation pump means having first and second :openings, said first'opening being connected to said container means;

(d) first conduit means having one end connected to said second opening and having its other end connected to said container means;

(e) means for operating said pump means to provide a negative head at said second opening and a positive head at said first opening whereby said pump means is enabled to recirculate liquid from said container means back thereinto, said pump means being responsive to blockage of said second opening to provide an increased negative head thereat;

(f) a receptacle for liquid treating agent;

(g) second conduit means connected at one end to said receptacle and connected at its other end to said second opening, said second conduit means having a section, intermediate its ends extending above the maximum liquid level which may be reached in said container means; and

(h) blocking means for blocking off said first conduit means at least partially at a predetermined time during operation of said fabric Washing means and said pump means;

(i) said negative head being insutficient to draw treating agent from said receptacle through said second conduit when said first conduit is unblocked, said negative head being sufiicient to draw treating agent from said receptacle through said second conduit and to discharge it into said container means when said first conduit is at least partially blocked.

2. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said first conduit means is formed at least in part of flexible material, said blocking means being ettective during operation thereof to squeeze said first conduit means at least partially shut.

3. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said first conduit means has a relatively rigid portion formed therein with a pivotally mounted gate member positioned within said first conduit means portion for movement in and out of the path of flow of fluid through said first conduit, said blocking means during operation thereof moving said gate member into the path of fiuid fiow to effect the desired increase in the negative head of said pump means.

4. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said second opening of said pump means is connected through said first conduit adjacent the bottom of said container means and said first opening connects with said container means adjacent the top thereof.

5. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said first conduit means has a relatively large cross section'to permit substantial flow therethrough except when said blocking means operates.

6. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said second conduit means is formed as a siphon having its short leg connected to said receptacle and its long leg connected to said second opening, whereby momentary opera tion of said blocking means is sufficient to efiect discharge of the treating agent into said container means.

7. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein said pump means is a turbine type'pump.

8. A washing machine comprising:

(a) container means for containing liquid and fabrics to be washed in the liquid, comprising an outer liquidcontaining tub and an inner fabric-containing basket rotatably mounted within said tub;

(b) means for effecting washing of fabrics in said inner fabric-containing basket;

(c) drive means for alternatively operating said washing means or rotating said tub to efiect alternatively washing operations in said basket or extraction of liquid from fabrics in said basket;

(d) pump means including a recirculation pump having first and second openings and a drain pump having first and second openings, said first opening of said recirculation pump being connected to said container means adjacent the top thereof, said first opening of said drain pump being connected to said container means adjacent the bottom thereof, said second opening of said drain pump being adapted to be connected to a drain;

(6) relatively large first conduit means having one end connected to said second opening of said recirculation pump and having its other end connected to said outer liquid-containing tub adjacent the bottom thereof; v

(f) said drive means operating said recirculation pump and said drain pump to effect a negative head at said second opening of said recirculation pump and a positive head at said first opening thereof during operation'of said washing means, and to provide a negative head at said first opening of said drain pump and a positive head at said second opening thereof during rotation of said basket, said recirculation pump being formed to be responsive to blockage of said second opening thereof to provide an increased negative head at said second opening thereof;

(g) a receptacle for liquid treating agent;

(h) second relatively small conduit means connected at one end to said receptacle and connected at its other end to said second opening of said recirculation pump, said second conduit means having a section intermediate its ends extending above the maximum liquid level which may be reached in said container means;

(i) blocking means for blocking off said first conduit means at least partially at a predetermined time during operation of said fabric washing means and said recirculation pump;

(j) said negative head of said recirculation pump being insuflicient to draw treating agent from said receptacle through said second conduit when said first conduit is unblocked, said negative head of said recirculation pump being sufiicient to draw treating agent from said receptacle through said second conduit and discharge it into said container means when said first conduit is at least partially blocked.

9. The apparatus defined in claim 8 wherein said second conduit means is formed as a siphon having its short leg connected to said receptacle and having its long leg connected to said second opening of said recirculation pump.

Bratkowski Sept. 5, 1911 Smith July 25, 1961 

1. A WASHING MACHINE COMPRISING: (A) CONTAINER MEANS FOR CONTAINING LIQUID AND FABRICS TO BE WASHED IN THE LIQUID; (B) MEANS FOR EFFECTING WASHING OF FABRICS IN SAID CONTAINER MEANS; (C) RECIRCULATION PUMP MEANS HAVING FIRST AND SECOND OPENINGS, SAID FIRST OPENING BEING CONNECTED TO SAID CONTAINER MEANS; (D) FIRST CONDUIT MEANS HAVING ONE END CONNECTED TO SAID SECOND OPENING AND HAVING ITS OTHER END CONNECTED TO SAID CONTAINER MEANS; (E) MEANS FOR OPERATING SAID PUMP MEANS TO PROVIDE A NEGATIVE HEAD AT SAID SECOND OPENING AND A POSITIVE HEAD AT SAID FIRST OPENING WHEREBY SAID PUMP MEANS IS ENABLED TO RECIRCULATE LIQUID FROM SAID CONTAINER MEANS BACK THEREINTO, SAID PUMP MEANS BEING RESPONSIVE TO BLOCKAGE OF SAID SECOND OPENING TO PROVIDE AN INCREASED NEGATIVE HEAD THEREAT; (F) A RECEPTACLE FOR LIQUID TREATING AGENT; (G) SECOND CONDUIT MEANS CONNECTED AT ONE END TO SAID RECEPTACLE AND CONNECTED AT ITS OTHER END TO SAID SECOND OPENING, SAID SECOND CONDUIT MEANS HAVING A SECTION INTERMEDIATE ITS ENDS EXTENDING ABOVE THE MAXIMUM LIQUID LEVEL WHICH MAY BE REACHED IN SAID CONTAINER MEANS; AND (H) BLOCKING MEANS FOR BLOCKING OFF SAID FIRST CONDUIT MEANS AT LEAST PARTIALLY AT A PREDETERMINED TIME DURING OPERATION OF SAID FABRIC WASHING MEANS AND SAID PUMP MEANS; (I) SAID NEGATIVE HEAD BEING INSUFFICIENT TO DRAW TREATING AGENT FROM SAID RECEPTACLE THROUGH SAID SECOND CONDUIT WHEN SAID FIRST CONDUIT IS UNBLOCKED, SAID NEGATIVE HEAD BEING SUFFICIENT TO DRAW TREATING AGENT FROM SAID RECEPTACLE THROUGH SAID SECOND CONDUIT AND TO DISCHARGE IT INTO SAID CONTAINER MEANS WHEN SAID FIRST CONDUIT IS AT LEAST PARTIALLY BLOCKED. 